Justin D. Nelson

PostedSeptember 17, 2026

UpdatedSeptember 17, 2026

ByEpsteinWiki

Justin D. Nelson is a JPMorgan private banking executive who became one of Jeffrey Epstein’s relationship managers during the final period of Epstein’s client relationship with the bank. Released emails, calendar records, civil litigation filings, Nelson’s 2023 deposition, and a 2026 investigation led by Senator Ron Wyden document that Nelson continued communicating and meeting with Epstein after JPMorgan formally ended Epstein’s accounts in 2013.

Snapshot

Full name: Justin David Nelson

Occupation: Private banker and investment adviser

Institution: JPMorgan Chase and J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Documented Epstein connection: JPMorgan relationship manager for Jeffrey Epstein and later contact involving prospective referrals and business connected to Leon Black

Key period: 2012 through at least 2018

Primary evidence: JPMorgan communications, Epstein calendars, Nelson’s April 21, 2023 deposition, filings in Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Senator Ron Wyden’s 2026 banking investigation

Legal status: Nelson has not been criminally charged in connection with Epstein. He was not individually adjudged liable in the USVI action against JPMorgan.

Key Takeaways

Nelson was assigned to handle Epstein’s JPMorgan relationship in late 2012, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and registration as a sex offender.

JPMorgan stated in litigation that Nelson raised concerns about taking the assignment because of reporting concerning Epstein’s sexual misconduct. The bank’s filing said Jes Staley reassured Nelson that he trusted Epstein.

Released records show Nelson participating in discussions about Epstein’s business value, prospective referrals, Leon Black’s family office, and possible JPMorgan credit arrangements.

After JPMorgan ended Epstein’s accounts in 2013, Nelson continued contacting and meeting with him. Senator Wyden’s 2026 report states that Nelson met Epstein at his Manhattan townhouse at least six times between 2014 and 2018 and also visited Epstein’s New Mexico ranch.

The same report recommended investigation of Nelson and other bankers by federal prosecutors and financial regulators. That recommendation is not a criminal charge or finding of wrongdoing.

No public record reviewed for this article establishes that Nelson participated in Epstein’s sexual abuse or trafficking. His documented relevance concerns private banking, client retention, referrals, due diligence, and continued professional contact.

Overview

Justin D. Nelson is a managing director associated with J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Public professional records identify him as the head of the Asset Management and Financial Principals Coverage Team in Connecticut. His work has involved advising wealthy individuals, family offices, hedge fund principals, private equity executives, real estate investors, foundations, and other financial clients.

Nelson became part of the public Epstein record because he handled Epstein’s private banking relationship during a period when JPMorgan employees were reviewing whether the bank should continue serving him. Epstein had already pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to state offenses involving prostitution and a minor. Despite that history, Epstein remained a JPMorgan client until 2013.

Nelson’s role later became part of two major civil cases against JPMorgan, congressional information requests, and Senator Ron Wyden’s investigation of financial institutions that processed Epstein related transactions.

Identity Verification

This article concerns Justin David Nelson, FINRA CRD number 4199758, not the Texas attorney and former political candidate of the same name.

FINRA BrokerCheck identifies Justin David Nelson as a registered representative of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. A Tufts Financial Network profile identifies Nelson as a 1998 Tufts graduate who studied chemistry and economics before entering private banking and becoming a managing director in asset management.

Career at JPMorgan

Nelson joined the JPMorgan organization around 2000. His registration history shows service with J.P. Morgan Securities entities before and after the formation of the current securities affiliate.

By 2011, Nelson was described as a managing director working in asset management. Later professional profiles described him as head of the Asset Management and Financial Principals Coverage Team for J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Connecticut.

The 2026 Wyden report states that Nelson remained employed by JPMorgan as managing director and head of that team when the report was released. It described him as leading professionals who advise influential clients in hedge funds, private equity, real estate, and finance.

Assignment to Jeffrey Epstein’s Accounts

Court filings place Nelson’s assignment to Epstein in late 2012. In JPMorgan’s account of events, Nelson called Jes Staley after being assigned to cover Epstein and raised concerns based on news reports describing Epstein’s sexual misconduct. A JPMorgan filing stated that Staley responded by expressing trust in Epstein.

This evidence is important because it shows that Nelson’s assignment did not occur without awareness of Epstein’s public history. It also preserves JPMorgan’s defense that Nelson initially questioned the relationship rather than accepting it without concern.

In his May 2026 congressional deposition, Jes Staley testified that he had recommended Nelson as Epstein’s banker. Staley also said Nelson became the banker for members of Staley’s wife’s family.

The 2013 Memorandum and Epstein’s Value to the Bank

Litigation and congressional records describe a 2013 memorandum prepared by Nelson concerning Epstein. During Staley’s congressional deposition, counsel characterized the document as emphasizing Epstein’s substantial business with JPMorgan and stating that Epstein remained trusted by extremely wealthy people despite his status as a sex offender. Staley testified that he knew Nelson but did not know whether he had seen that particular memorandum.

Senator Wyden later requested every 2013 memorandum prepared by Nelson concerning Epstein. The request also asked whether JPMorgan had ever investigated Nelson’s management of Epstein’s accounts and sought communications among Nelson, Mary Erdoes, Jes Staley, Stephen Cutler, and other senior bank personnel.

The memorandum is significant because the question before the bank was not merely whether Epstein generated revenue. It was whether his criminal history, reported conduct, cash activity, and reputational risk required the bank to end the relationship. References to his wealthy connections show how referral value entered that internal assessment.

JPMorgan’s 2013 Exit of Epstein

JPMorgan ended Epstein’s direct client relationship in 2013. Epstein then moved substantial banking activity to Deutsche Bank.

Ending the accounts did not end every interaction between Epstein and JPMorgan personnel. Court filings state that John Duffy, then a senior private banking executive, allowed Nelson to continue dealing with Epstein as a possible source of referrals.

The Government of the United States Virgin Islands argued that this continuing contact showed that JPMorgan still sought business benefits from Epstein’s wealthy network. JPMorgan disputed broader allegations that it continued working with Epstein on Leon Black’s accounts and challenged the government’s characterization of the evidence.

Leon Black and Continued Business Development

Leon Black was a billionaire client whose family office and financial affairs became an important part of the later Epstein banking litigation. Released communications show Epstein acting as an intermediary or adviser in discussions involving Black.

In August 2013, emails among Mary Erdoes, John Duffy, and Nelson discussed an inquiry from Black’s family office that originated through Epstein. The Wyden report interpreted those communications as evidence that the bank continued to recognize the business value of Epstein’s relationship with Black while ending Epstein’s own accounts.

EFTA00370319 records 2014 communications concerning a meeting about “Leon B’s family office.” Other 2014 communications cited in the Senate investigation show Nelson considering whether he should visit Epstein while attempting to advance business.

EFTA00679926 contains a May 2015 message in which Nelson followed up with Epstein about a JPMorgan line of credit for Leon Black. The communication documents continued professional engagement after Epstein’s direct JPMorgan relationship had ended.

During Nelson’s deposition, he was asked whether Epstein had communicated with him on Black’s behalf concerning investment vehicles. JPMorgan later cited Nelson’s answer that he did not remember. That testimony limits how confidently the broader relationship can be characterized and should be preserved alongside the emails.

Meetings and Communications After 2013

EFTA02118513 contains a December 2013 email about arranging contact with Nelson while he was on holiday because Epstein wanted to speak with him.

EFTA02816378 contains a January 22, 2014 email exchange involving Nelson and Epstein related scheduling or communication.

EFTA02100392 records Nelson in Epstein related scheduling material dated August 1, 2014.

EFTA02144164 and EFTA02144695 are additional released records naming Nelson with Epstein, John Duffy, Thomas McGraw, JPMorgan, and Epstein’s East 71st Street residence.

Senator Wyden’s report states that Nelson met Epstein at the Manhattan townhouse at least six times between 2014 and 2018 and visited the New Mexico ranch. Earlier reporting described approximately six townhouse meetings between 2014 and 2017. The difference in ending dates should be preserved because the later Senate report appears to rely on an expanded documentary record.

These meetings occurred after JPMorgan had ended Epstein’s direct client relationship. Their existence does not by itself establish criminal conduct, but they are relevant to whether Epstein continued serving as a referral source and business intermediary for JPMorgan personnel.

April 2023 Deposition

EFTA02811652 is the transcript of Nelson’s videotaped deposition taken on April 21, 2023. The deposition was conducted in litigation concerning JPMorgan’s relationship with Epstein.

Excerpts from the deposition were later filed in Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and cited by both sides. Those materials address Nelson’s assignment to Epstein, his concerns about the relationship, post exit contacts, referrals, and communications concerning Leon Black.

EFTA02818619 is a later filing that identifies excerpts from Nelson’s deposition among the materials submitted to the court.

Deposition questions and attorney characterizations are not judicial findings. Nelson’s answers, JPMorgan’s objections, the USVI’s allegations, and the surrounding exhibits must be read together.

USVI Litigation Against JPMorgan

The Government of the United States Virgin Islands sued JPMorgan in December 2022 in the Southern District of New York. The case was docketed as Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., No. 1:22 cv 10904.

The USVI alleged that JPMorgan benefited from and facilitated Epstein’s trafficking venture by continuing to provide banking services despite extensive warning signs. Nelson was discussed as an Epstein relationship manager and as a banker who continued contact after the bank ended Epstein’s accounts.

JPMorgan denied that it knowingly participated in Epstein’s crimes and disputed the USVI’s interpretation of evidence involving Nelson and other employees. The court allowed portions of the USVI case to proceed while dismissing other claims.

In September 2023, JPMorgan agreed to pay $75 million to settle the USVI action. The settlement included funding for survivor services, charitable organizations, and anti trafficking enforcement. JPMorgan did not admit liability. Nelson was not separately adjudged liable through that settlement.

The complete federal record is available through the Department of Justice court record collection and the CourtListener docket.

Senator Wyden’s Banking Investigation

Senator Ron Wyden’s investigative staff began examining the financial transactions that supported Epstein’s operation in 2022. Staff reviewed suspicious activity reports and records involving JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, Epstein, and Leon Black.

In October 2025, Wyden sent JPMorgan a detailed information request. Questions involving Nelson sought his communications with Mary Erdoes, Jes Staley, Stephen Cutler, and other JPMorgan personnel, as well as 2013 memoranda and information about any internal investigation of his management of Epstein’s accounts.

The August 2026 report identified Nelson among bankers whose conduct merited investigation by federal prosecutors and financial regulators. It also stated that Nelson and most of the other named bankers had faced no known financial consequences or regulatory discipline.

This was a recommendation produced by Senator Wyden’s investigation. It was not an indictment, regulatory ruling, or judicial finding against Nelson.

Relevant Timeline

2000: Nelson began appearing in securities registration records associated with J.P. Morgan entities.

2008: Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida state offenses involving prostitution and a minor.

Late 2012: Nelson was assigned to cover Epstein. JPMorgan later stated that Nelson raised concerns with Jes Staley about news reporting concerning Epstein.

2013: Nelson prepared a memorandum concerning Epstein’s business and wealthy connections. JPMorgan ended Epstein’s direct client relationship.

August 2013: Nelson participated in communications involving an inquiry from Leon Black’s family office that originated through Epstein.

December 2013: Epstein’s office sought contact with Nelson while Nelson was on holiday.

2014 through 2018: Records document continued communications and meetings between Nelson and Epstein, including meetings at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse.

May 2015: Nelson followed up with Epstein concerning a JPMorgan line of credit for Leon Black.

April 21, 2023: Nelson gave a videotaped deposition concerning JPMorgan’s relationship with Epstein.

September 2023: JPMorgan settled the USVI action for $75 million without admitting liability.

October 2025: Senator Wyden requested additional JPMorgan records concerning Nelson’s communications and management of Epstein’s accounts.

August 2026: Wyden’s investigative report recommended examination of Nelson and other bankers by prosecutors and financial regulators.

Evidence Appearances

EFTA00370319: 2014 communication concerning Leon Black’s family office
EFTA00679926: May 2015 follow up concerning a JPMorgan line of credit for Leon Black
EFTA02118513: December 2013 effort to arrange contact between Epstein and Nelson
EFTA02100392: August 2014 scheduling record naming Nelson and Epstein
EFTA02144164: Released record naming Nelson, Epstein, JPMorgan, and related individuals or locations
EFTA02144695: Related released record naming Nelson, Epstein, John Duffy, and JPMorgan
EFTA02811652: April 21, 2023 videotaped deposition transcript of Justin Nelson
EFTA02816378: January 22, 2014 email exchange involving Nelson and Epstein
EFTA02818619: Court filing identifying excerpts from Nelson’s deposition

Legal Status and Evidence Limits

Nelson has not been criminally charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. No court finding reviewed for this article establishes that Nelson knew about, participated in, or intentionally facilitated Epstein’s sexual abuse or trafficking.

The public evidence does establish that Nelson became one of Epstein’s JPMorgan bankers after Epstein’s conviction, participated in internal discussion of the relationship, remained in contact after the bank ended Epstein’s accounts, and pursued or discussed business connected to Epstein’s relationship with Leon Black.

The USVI’s filings were allegations advanced in contested civil litigation. JPMorgan denied knowingly assisting Epstein’s crimes and disputed some descriptions of Nelson’s conduct. The corporate settlements ended claims without a trial determining Nelson’s individual liability.

No survivor accusation against Nelson personally was identified in the public sources reviewed for this article.

Related EpsteinWiki Pages

Questions for Investigators

What was the complete content of every 2013 memorandum Nelson prepared concerning Epstein?
Which executives authorized Nelson’s continued contact with Epstein after the bank ended Epstein’s accounts?
What business resulted from Epstein’s referrals to Nelson or other JPMorgan bankers after 2013?
What occurred during each meeting at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and New Mexico ranch?
Did Nelson receive compensation, performance credit, or other professional benefit from business connected to Epstein’s referrals?
What due diligence did Nelson perform concerning Epstein’s role in Leon Black’s financial and estate planning affairs?
Did JPMorgan conduct an internal investigation of Nelson’s management of Epstein’s relationship, and if so, what did it conclude?
Did Nelson report suspicious activity, compliance concerns, or post exit contact to the appropriate JPMorgan personnel?
Have federal prosecutors or financial regulators acted on Senator Wyden’s recommendation concerning Nelson and the other named bankers?
Are additional emails, calendars, memoranda, deposition pages, or compliance records still sealed or withheld?

Sources

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